Liverpool's 2025 January transfer wishlist

The transition between Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot has been surprisingly seamless at Anfield.

The former Feyenoord boss inherited a world-class squad from his predecessor but still had the unenviable challenge of following Liverpool's most successful manager since Bob Paisley. For a coach previously untested in the Premier League, those are hefty shoes to fill.

However, the Dutchman has made light work of the assignment. He's guided the Reds to the summit of both the Premier League and Champions League tables, as well as securing safe passage to the final four of the Carabao Cup.

Slot has managed to oversee such swift progress without the aid of an enormous budget. Liverpool signed just two players over the summer, one being a goalkeeper who was shipped out on loan and the other being the £12.5m acquisition of Federico Chiesa - who has seldom featured this term.

With Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, perhaps excited by the prospect of an exceptional season, they could loosen the purse strings during the January transfer window.

Here are the areas Liverpool will be keen to target.

Left-back

Liverpool don't have many areas of weakness but one that could do with bolstering is the left-back department. It's been a position that the Reds have long been able to ignore such has been the consistency and quality of Andy Robertson, who has racked up over 300 appearances since joining the club in 2017.

However, the Scotsman has produced performances consistently below his best this season and there are concerns over his ability to mix it with the best after a difficult few months. Robertson will be 31 years old in March and is unlikely to reclaim his tag as the leading left-back in Europe.

Kostas Tsimikas has enjoyed a largely positive season to date but has proved an unconvincing option in the past. The Greek defender, who will be 29 by the end of the current campaign, is unlikely to be Robertson's long-term successor.

Key targets

Liverpool have been linked with left-backs frequently over the past year. Robertson's decline began last season but his 2024/25 struggles are likely to force the Reds into the market sooner rather than later.

Fulham's Antonee Robinson is one of the names touted with a Liverpool switch, with the United States international showcasing exactly what he offers during a visit to Anfield in mid-December. The 27-year-old has hinted that a move to one of Europe's elite could be on the cards, providing his age doesn't act as a stumbling block.

Alphonso Davies is certainly a player Liverpool should be tracking. The Bayern Munich defender is out of contract next summer and is expected to leave Bavaria, with Real Madrid and Barcelona circling. Pulling off such a coup could be tricky, however.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Rayan Ait-Nouri and Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez have both been linked with Anfield previously, with the latter being a particularly exciting target. Kerkez's Hungarian compatriot Dominik Szoboszlai could certainly vouch for the move.

Defensive midfield

Defensive midfield was an area that Liverpool were desperate to strengthen over the summer. The Reds have never truly replaced Fabinho since his departure two summers ago and their best number six was a theme of debate across last season. In the end, surprise arrival Wataru Endo ran the engine room frequently.

However, clearly not enamoured with the Japan skipper, Slot was eager to bolster the centre of the park during his first transfer window at the helm. Liverpool's pursuit of a new defensive midfielder ultimately failed, forcing Slot to get creative.

The Dutchman deployed his compatriot Ryan Gravenberch as Liverpool's deepest midfielder in a double pivot with Alexis Mac Allister, with the 22-year-old doing a remarkable job in his new-look role. While there is no need to replace their newfound defensive midfield gem, he may need support moving into the closing months of the season.

Key targets

Martin Zubimendi was the man Liverpool courted over the summer but the Real Sociedad midfielder shot them down. They were not the only club to be rebuffed by the Euro 2024 winner, who is unlikely to appear on their radar this winter.

There are no guarantees that Liverpool bolster their midfield, of course, with Endo and Tyler Morton in reserve. But an experienced and able acquisition could come in handy, with Atalanta's Ederson having been linked frequently over the summer.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba has also reportedly interested Liverpool after an impressive rise on the south coast. The 20-year-old would certainly fit the club's criteria for new signings.

Centre-forward

Darwin Nunez has been the centre of much discussion regarding Liverpool over the past two seasons. The Uruguayan arrived for big money in 2022 and has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League, blowing hot and cold far too often.

There is a sense that Liverpool may finally cut their losses with Nunez come the end of the season - unless there is a drastic turnaround in his fortunes over the second half of the campaign - or at least bolster their forward line to ensure they're not overly reliant on the fiery South American.

Of course, the Reds would happily start Diogo Jota every single week and he remains Liverpool's most natural finisher. But his injury issues have been ever-present since the move to Merseyside and he can't be trusted to play 50 to 60 games per season.

Key targets

It would be negligent of Liverpool not to consider one of Europe's most in-demand centre-forwards, Viktor Gyokeres. A move in January looks unlikely for the Sporting CP star and Ruben Amorim's presence at Manchester United may persuade the Swedish sharpshooter to move to the Reds' rivals, but he's undoubtedly an elite talent that would improve Slot's side.

Inter's Marcus Thuram is another powerful striker capable of making waves in the Premier League. The Frenchman has been tentatively linked with the Reds after dazzling in Italy, where he scored 13 and set up another 13 as the Nerazzurri won Serie A in 2023/24.

Jonathan David is another talent worth keeping an eye on. The Lille and Canada striker is out of contract in the coming summer and could agree a pre-contract with Liverpool in the winter window. He bagged 19 in Ligue 1 last season.

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